Proposition 77 is phony reform
Re “A new political landscape,”
editorial, Oct. 23
Supporters of Proposition 77 endlessly repeat that legislative districts are “rigged” for one party. They don’t tell you that in 2003, Republicans Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom McClintock outpolled Democrat Cruz Bustamante in 77 of 106 legislative districts supposedly “rigged” to be impossible for a Democrat to lose. Perhaps touting the number of “rigged” Democratic districts won by Bustamante does not make for a very compelling slogan (29 out of 106 -- feel the outrage).
In any event, Proposition 77 will not provide more competition. Nothing in 77 requires, or even enables, the redistricters to create more competition. Will they? Eight states used nonpartisan redistricting panels to draw their congressional districts in 2001. In 2002, all 75 incumbents from those states won reelection. The case for Proposition 77 is a tissue of myths. Its supporters trumped up a problem and provided a lousy solution.
DANIEL LOWENSTEIN
UCLA Professor of Law
and Chairman of No on 77
Los Angeles
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
